Lucknow Central 2017

In the dusty streets of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, a young man named Kishen Mohan Girhotra (Farhan Akhtar) lived with a burning passion - to make it big as a singer. His aspirations were put on hold, however, when he was brutally manhandled by the security forces and his musical dreams shattered. The incident left him seething with anger and frustration, which culminated in a public outburst against the IAS officer responsible for the destruction of his CD. But fate had other plans - that same night, Kishen stumbled upon the same officer stranded on the deserted roads, his car broken down. Instead of lending a helping hand, Kishen chose to turn a blind eye, and the consequences were dire. The next morning, he learned that the IAS officer had been found murdered, and Kishen was at the top of the police’s suspects list.

As the net closed in around him, Kishen found himself behind bars, serving a life sentence in Moradabad Jail. His friend, who had witnessed the events that fateful night, was brutally tortured by the police into becoming an eyewitness against Kishen. The victim’s family appealed to the High Court, seeking justice through the death penalty. Kishen’s fate took a turn for the worse when he was transferred to the notorious Lucknow Central Jail.

It was in this bleak environment that Kishen crossed paths with Gayatri Kashyap (Diana Penty), an NGO worker with a passion for music. The IG of UP had instructed her to organize a prison band competition, and Gayatri saw it as an opportunity to bring hope to the inmates. When she met with Kishen, she found a kindred spirit - a man who had lost everything but still clung to his love for music.

As Kishen shared his story with Gayatri, he revealed that forming a band was not just a passion, but also a means to escape the harsh realities of prison life. He convinced four other inmates - Dikkat Ansari (Inaamulhaq), Victor Chattopahdyay (Deepak Dobriyal), Purushottam Pandit (Rajesh Sharma), and Parminder Trehan (Gippy Grewal) - to join forces with him, promising them a way out through the band competition. With his knowledge of the jail’s weaknesses, Kishen had mapped out an escape plan, and he was determined to see it through. Little did anyone know that this unlikely band of prisoners would soon become the talk of the town in Lucknow Central.

Here’s my rephrased version:

As the head of the prison’s sewing division, Purushottam Pandit maintains an air of independence, refusing to submit to the authority of the ruthless jail mafia. Meanwhile, Kishen, a steadfast individual, resists the mafia’s attempts to recruit him, only to succumb to their relentless harassment after months of psychological warfare. The mafia’s demands become increasingly sinister as they order Kishen to eliminate Purushottam, but instead, he forms an unlikely alliance with his target and stands up to the mafia boss alongside Parminder, a conflicted gang member who has grown disillusioned with her role in the organization.

Despite the band’s lack of cohesion during their initial performance, which is staged by the jailer (Ronit Roy) as part of his failed attempt to discredit them, they surprise everyone with a flawless show that leaves him perplexed. As the video of their performance goes viral, the public falls in love with the band, and the Chief Minister intervenes, ordering the authorities to support their participation in the competition and ensuring their victory.

As the IG offers incentives to motivate the band, Kishen’s unwavering dedication stands out amidst his fellow musicians’ demands for special privileges. Gayathri, intrigued by Kishen’s unshakeable resolve, delves into the circumstances surrounding his conviction and uncovers a flawed investigation that relied heavily on the testimony of his friend. Despite her attempts to pry information from Kishen about the events leading up to his imprisonment, he remains mum, aware that revealing the truth would be futile.

Kishen’s plan to escape takes an unexpected turn when he orchestrates a fight in the jail, resulting in the entire band being locked away in solitary confinement. The ruse is intended to facilitate their eventual breakout, but just as everything seems to be falling into place, Kishen’s resolve is tested by the weight of responsibility and the hopes pinned on the band’s success. In the end, it takes a heroic effort for him to put his escape plan into action, but not before the jailer discovers their scheme and sets out to thwart their plans.

As the band finally reaches the precipice of freedom, a collective sense of urgency washes over them - except for Kishen (actor name), who stands firm against the pleas of his comrades, refusing to abandon ship. In a stunning display of solidarity and artistic passion, the entire band takes to the stage, their music weaving a spell that ultimately secures their triumph in the competition. With their innocence finally vindicated, Kishen’s friend returns to the courtroom, presenting new evidence that exonerates him from any wrongdoing in the murder. As the weight of injustice is lifted from his shoulders, Kishen is at last released from captivity, while the Lucknow central band continues to reverberate with its mesmerizing melodies, a testament to the enduring power of music and the unbreakable bonds of camaraderie that have defined their journey.